City Trees

The Sakura Campaign

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Inspired by the end of German division, the Japanese television network TV
Asahi launched a major drive for contributions in 1990 in Japan. As an expression
of the Japanese people's great interest in the events of German reunification
and the friendship between Japan and Germany, money was collected for the planting
of Japanese cherry trees (sakura) in Germany. These ornamental cherry trees
are very popular in Japan and are said to bring people inner peace and serenity.
TV Asahi set up an account for this cherry-tree campaign that eventually raised
over 140 million yen (about €1 million) in donations. The many donations
made it possible to plant over 9,000 trees, mostly in Berlin and Brandenburg.
The first trees were planted in November 1990 at Glienicker Brücke (Glienicke
Bridge), a site that had symbolized the division of Germany.

On 9 November 2010, the “Platz des 9. Novembers 1989” was officially
opened to the public by the Governing Mayor of Berlin. Eight cherry trees, among
others, were planted at this memorable location and financed with the last of
the funds from this campaign. The future of this gift from Japanese donors is
now in the hands of the recipients in Berlin and Brandenburg, who are called
upon to ensure that these trees, like all the others in the city, receive the
care they need. The splendor of the cherry blossoms, which increases as the trees
grow older, will then be an expression of the friendship between Japan and Germany,
and will bring both countries closer together.

The tree plantings in Berlin took place with the generous support of the parks
departments of the respective boroughs. The sites chosen included the former
border strip, parks, public facilities (schools, nurseries, hospitals), and cemeteries.